488 Coiisnmjjtion of Food hy Large and Small Animals. 



inent. I allowed each lot when on turnips (because we did not 

 slice the turnips, only the swedes) the same sized piece per day ; 

 and when on swedes, which we began about Christmas, 33 bushels 

 (sliced) per day, and 18 bushels of excellent clover-chafF to each 

 lot ; and on the 20Lh of February, 1847, we gave them 1 lb, of oil- 

 cake a-day on an average until they were sold out. 



Sought in the last week in October, 1846. 



£. s. d. 



100 very larg-e Hampshire Down lambs cost per head ..210 

 100 Hampshire Down lambs, weighing about 1.^ stone less 



than above and very much smaller, cost per head . . 115 0 



0 6 0 



The latter were in much better condition than the large ones. 

 Sold out from 28th 3Iarch to lOth May, 1847. 

 ICO lambs which cost 41 5., sold at Smithfield and Southall 



markets, realized on average, with wool 3 13 



100 lambs which cost 355., sold at the same markets, 



realized on average, with wool 2 9 0 



In favour of large lambs . , . 0 12 3 



I ought to add that the markets were about 2s. per head in favour 

 of the large lambs, the trade for mutton being about that difference, or 

 rather more, when the large lambs were sold, which would leave lO.y. 3c/. 

 instead of 12.9. 3<:/. in their favour. 



Nothing would be more conclusive and satisfactory than a fair 

 trial, in the same manner, between 100 of Sussex and 100 of 

 Hampshire Downs, both lots of their breed of equal value ; that 

 is to say, 100 of best Sussex against 100 of best Hampshire, kept 

 on the same land and fairly tested out of doors, as a farmer would 

 wish to winter them. 



Perhaps you will be able to get a fair trial betv/een the large 

 and small breeds, and then publish the result, which would be 

 more satisfactory than mine. 



With much respect, I am, dear sir. 



Yours truly, 



Geo. Shackkl. 



Reading, Oct. ^th, 1847. 



Note by Mr. Pusey, 

 The above trial seemed to me well to deserve a place in the 

 Society's journal, as throwing light upon the question whether 

 large and small animals of the same race do or do not consume 

 food in proportion to their respective bulk. This question is not 

 merely interesting as a point of physiological science, but also in 

 practical farming. A large body of farmers defend the Hamp- 



